Goldfinches Looking Good

As the weather has progressively warmed and the days lengthen, our friends the American Goldfinches have phased out their winter plumage in favor of the bright summer fare.  Not all of them have completed the transition, but even the most junior males are discernably along to summer glory.  A side benefit is that I can detect these rascals draining the sunflower seed feeders from quite some distance away!  and that is another goldfinch behavior that I am accustomed to seeing this time of year.  If history is a guide, they'll skitter away soon and I may only see the bright yellows elsewhere.  We'll have to appreciate it now.

The Last Nesters

It occurred to me today that the male American Goldfinches are probably as dazzling as they will be for another eight months.  Why?  They're surely engaged in food collection for youngsters.  The goldfinches are pretty much the last of the line for this breeding season and July is their busy season.  Parenting takes its toll on plumage, so they'll be ready to molt as soon as the dust settles.  Then it is on to drab winter colors.  Let's keep our eyes on the brilliant yellows while we can!

Going for the Gold

Sometimes I think that the only truly redeeming feature of an American Goldfinch from the perspective of the backyard birdwatcher/feeder is their amazing summer plumage.  And believe me that I pay quite a bill for that feature, if we chock up the sunflower seed tab to finches.  And here we are, Easter Sunday, with the glories of that summer plumage in full display!  I spotted a gang of four or five birds with all of the males sporting bright yellow colors.  For them, summer is now here.  Although their nesting season is a ways down the road.  And notice--I said gang.  They are back.  Sigh.  The sunflower seed disappears more quickly.  But the view: that makes it worthwhile.

Alpha Goldfinch Showing Off

The American Goldfinches are quite a ways yet from nesting time, but the alpha male of our family group is getting ready for the big event a little early.  This sometimes happens: one or two finches molt to a more summerly look while the rest of the bunch take many more weeks.  That brilliant Goldfinch yellow and black cap are looking smart---and it's still March!  As much as we can appreciate the warm season look, I'm afraid that goldfinches are not going to be a real summer story until June or July.  And they'd be eating too much of our sunflower seed if any number of them are around.  Either way: I hope I don't need to spend too much time talking about these rascals just yet!